Quick Banana Paniyaram

Here in the US you get something like the kuzhi paniyaram pan called the filled pancake pan....these are used to make paniyaram like pancakes with fresh fruit fillings of your choice. I came across this in a cookware catalog and fancied it so much that my friend gifted it to me for my housewarming party. Since the time I got this pan, I have not only made the stuffed pancakes but made all kinds of quick paniyarams using pancake mix, paniyarams with idli, dosa and adai batters.....and low calorie bondas and koftas. Anyway, I had to get rid of this lovely pan once it started to wear out. I now have the non stick kuzhi paniyaram pan from India. The holes in this are very much smaller than the pancake pan. Nevertheless, they still give the delicious treats that we are looking for.

The quick banana paniyaram is much liked by my kids that I never hesitate to make when I have ripened bananas and some store bought multigrain pancake mix. I very much like this multigrain mix from the local farmers market more so because it does not have eggs unlike the buttermilk mix and also it has the coarse cornflour which gives a nice texture. Would you believe if I say that I have even tried making gulab jamuns using this mix!! I got the idea to try the Banana Paniyaram from the "Sweet/Vellam Appam" that is popular in the South....this is done on special festival days and offered as a "prasad" to the Gods. Vellam Appam is a fried delicacy using wheat flour, rice flour, jaggery, some mashed banana and coconut.

1/2 cup multi grain pancake mix(store bought)
1 medium size banana mashed nicely
1/4 cup or little less than 1/4 cup brown sugar
2 pinches of cardamom powder
1 tsp oil(optional)
1 tbsp of milk(optional)

Combine the banana, brown sugar and the oil together. Add the pancake flour and the cardamom and stir the mixture gently till it is mixed well. The resulting consistency is good enough to make the paniyarams. You can add very little milk if needed. Put about less than 1/2 a tsp of oil in each of the holes. Pour spoonful of batter in each of the holes so that it is filled up only half way. Once it is cooked, turn over and cook the other side as well. You can add a few drops of oil if needed.

Variation 1 : Use applesauce(1 measure mix, 1 measure applesauce, 1/2 measure brown sugar)
Variation 2 : Peach or mango puree or other fruit purees
Variation 3 : Salted paniyaram with some chopped onions, ginger, green chilies and coriander leaves(I have tried this as well)

Here is a picture of these paniyarams using applesauce....